September 2012

September has commenced and we took off for an overnight trip to the Marlgu Lagoons and to Parry's Creek Camping and Conservation area. First stop was the old RAAF Telegraph station which is now just the stumps to the two residences (one of which is now accommodation in old Wyndham), the workshop and the base of the mast, all of which overlooks the Marlgu Lagoons. According to the sign, the station played a vital part of the radio traffic sent and received in the sinking of the German Warship Emden.

A short drive down the hill and we arrived at what can only be described as a bird watchers heaven. A bird hide and interpretive panels assist with identification and a place to take photos from.

and then it was onto Parry Creek. This is basically a caravan park and cabins based around a watercourse that dries up to a series of billabong's during the dry season and a raging torrent during the wet. It is a nice place stay but is expensive ($37 per night) for what it is.

Joanne and I took the 4 km walk around the waterholes and there was some birdlife to view but the best bit was finding the croc traps empty and the bungarra above as he wandered across our track. You can also see from the picture above that the boab's are quite big here as well.

6 September 2012

We will be leaving Wyndham around the 14th of September and will be heading to Darwin, but more on that later.

8 September 2012

Wyndham appears to be a very special place. Special because the Gouldian Finch lives here, and each year the bird watchers flock (pun intended) to town to spend the early hours of the morning (0530 to 0800) counting these little birds. Now, you might think that they have to go to some special bush setting, but no. These colourful little birds live in the area that surrounds the Shire Offices and drink each morning from the puddles left by the sprinkler.

Joanne got up early yesterday to go and have a look and did the same again this morning, and just as I began my sleep in she came back and dragged me out of bed, camera in hand to walk the 300m to where these birds were. Anyway, here are a couple of shots for you to enjoy.

As with many of our feathered friends the colourful ones are the males.

With Bronwyn leaving Wyndham to take up a new job in Darwin we left Marlgu Village and spent the night at the pub/motel in old Wyndham. Bronwyn had a room and we parked outside in the car park, and with a pub meal and a few drinks it was a pleasant night.

The Pub and Motel in Wyndham

The view from the wharf with "The Bastion" on the left.

The Bastion has the 5 rivers lookout at the top and on a clear day has some magical views. Unfortunately the time of the year we were here the sky was always filled with smoke, heat haze or both!

I got to know the walk up to the top of the Bastion well after 7 trips up and back during our stay. Its a 12.4km round trip from Marlgu Village and quite a physical effort. 2hrs 16 minutes being my best time.

14 September 2012

As the words to the song say we "are on the road again...". We left Wyndham this morning and dropped into Kununnura via a short trip down the Gibb River Road. There has been some roadwork's done and the road is now sealed up to the King River, which was looking less than Kingly when we saw it. The Gibb as it is called allows you to get closer to the Cockburn Range and the area where the movie Australia was filmed.

Part of the Cockburn Range as seen from the Gibb River Road.

We eventually arrived in Kununnura and where we saw about having the fridge looked at at Kununnura Refrigeration. With the daytime temperatures rarely below 37 deg C and the night in the low 20's the poor old fridge had been struggling to keep things cold and eventually it just gave up the ghost and refused to cool anything. A check of the gas revealed that it was almost empty and so it was checked over and re-gassed, and then there was the testing to see if it had been successful. So rather than sit in the hot car park we left the fridge at the shop and drove into town and took up a spot under a huge tree where the shade and the breeze were in abundance.

Around 4pm we went back to find the re-gass had done the trip and the fridge was sitting nicely on 3 deg. A swap of some cash for our fridge and a wireless temperature gauge we reinstalled the fridge and took off to the shop to refill our nice cold fridge. Shopping complete it was time to hit the road and so with some slow and steady driving as the sun disappeared we crossed over into the NT and found ourselves a spot at Saddle Creek around 7pm.

15 September 2012

With only 12 other campers in for the night Saddle Creek was quite empty compared to the last time we were there when there were over 30 rigs in. With a very hot day yesterday we were grateful for the cooling breeze blowing through the windows. It's been so hot at night for some time now that we have taken to sleeping on the rear bed rather than above the cab, mainly because the windows let more breeze in.

Leaving Saddle Creek this morning we had a very uneventful drive to the East Baines River Rest area which we found empty on our arrival. A quick drive over the bridge for a check revealed the river blocked by the old road and full on one side and almost dry on the other, and just past that the entrance to an aboriginal community.

Back to the rest area we found ourselves a nice spot and decided to take the rest of the day off. Day one back on the road and we are having a day off!

16 September 2012

We had a bigger day driving wise today than we have had in a few months, and a day bigger than our daily fuel and kilometers dictate, but it is all part of a good cause.

We left the East Baines Rest area before breakfast and drove through very non descript countryside towards Timber Creek. Having cycled through the area back in 2003 we recognised much of it and were able to recount our being there. Plenty of the area had been burnt out and it was interesting to see what was beneath the undergrowth after it was burnt away.

Just before Timber Creek we took the road up to the lookout over the small town, the surrounding escarpment and down the Victoria River, most of which was obscured by smoke and heat haze. We were up there early so had breakfast at the top. Dropping back down to the highway we had a look at the airstrip before taking a short drive around the place.

More sunburnt brown countryside and then the river valley and escarpments began and took us to the VIctoria River Roadhouse. Parking up we walked down the old road and across the old bridge that we had cycled across in 2003 before inspecting the new bridge that towers over the old. Time for some photos to compare with the past (below) and then back to AJ and on towards our intended campsite.

The View towards the roadhouse back in 2003

The same view in 2012.

Arriving at the Atchison Rest area we met a group of caravanners stopped for lunch, so being the first overnighters in we took up residence in the best spot, next to the under cover table, on the best angle to the sun for the panels and the breeze for some cool. As the day progressed some others came in as did two cyclists, laden with pannier bags and looking like they needed some cold water and some snickers bars which we gladly gave them.

Eric and Amaya are seasoned cycle tourists and run a website www.worldbiking.info and so we spent the evening in very esteemed company. A Japanese cyclist on his own also came in a little later and he certainly looked like he had had a hard day in the saddle.

As with most cycle tourists once the evening meal was over and a general cleanup completed it was time to hit the sack, and so we all did that at the same time, and the campsite was very quiet and peaceful.

17 September 2012

The cyclists were up and on the road early this morning to get some distance in before the heat of the day took a hold and their cyclist tan's were given another layer. We too decided to go early and so arrived in Katherine early. Food, fuel ($1.519 p/l) and some things obtained we headed off down the road and up the highway towards Darwin, stopping on for lunch in Pine Creek and a quick look at the WWII US 86 Hospital Site that we camped at in 2003 before we eventually arrived at the Bridge Rest area about 160km's South of Darwin, and yes, another large distance day.

With only one other motorhome in we picked a great spot over in the back corner where the sun will feed the panels and the breeze will keep us cool. Sitting here in the shade the temperature is 37 deg. The creek next to us has water in it but I don't think it will see us swimming in it.

18 September 2012

Last night was indeed a quiet but hot night. Waking this morning there was dew on the motorhome and grass and everything had that damp feeling. We didn't have to be in Darwin until tomorrow so decided to take the day off and spent the day relaxing and talking to Rob and Barbara who have a motorhome like ours.

19 September 2012

Nothing much to report today except we made it to Darwin where we will be staying until the 22nd and then we will be heading off yet again, this time to Queensland, but more on that later.

20 and 21 September 2012

Darwin was a good stop for us to get some things done and to undertake our registration and induction for our upcoming adventure working the harvest. We decided that we would give the grain harvest a go and have joined up with Manpower a recruitment agency for Grainflow who carry out the harvest throughout parts of Qld, NSW, Vic and SA. The plan being to follow the harvest as it heads South, working at the grain receival areas and silos.

Heading into Darwin we eventually found the recruitment agency and began completing the registration and other paperwork and having a meet and greet interview. We also have to complete various online courses so that we are ready to work when we arrive at Surat in Qld. We had originally been told that the start date was the 19th of October but on our way back to where we were staying we received a call asking us to be there on the 9th of October instead. Seems that Mother Nature has brought things forward slightly.

So apart from staying with Mick and Molly (where Bronwyn is staying while she gets her new job sorted out) we also took the chance to catch up with some other Darwin based friends, Geoff and Sarah. We arrived at their place to a very warm welcome and we spent half the night talking about what we and they have been, and are up to and of old times when we were in the Navy.

22 September 2012

A peaceful nights sleep and it was time to hit the road yet again, but not before we took a stroll around the back garden where Sarah, an avid Orchid grower keeps her prize winning plants.

A stop on the way out of town to stock up on fuel, food and wine then saw us heading South again, this time to Robin Falls outside of Adelaide River. A short 12km trip down a windy, bouncy and interesting road saw us come to the entrance road and car park where all of the good camping spots right on the creek were unfortunately taken. We managed to get ourselves a parking spot at the turnaround and took the 300m track alongside the creek to the falls.

Three drops over the edge and the water finally lands in a shallow pool where you can swim. We didn't have our swimmers with us but it was just too inviting not to get in o it was a case of remove the shift and get in anyway. The water was just delightful, cold enough to take half your breath away as you got in, but once in it was just so nice I really felt like staying there.

So after a nice cooling dip we took the tack back to the car park taking some photos of the creek and the small waterfalls as we went before heading on down the highway and camping in the same spot at Bridge Creek.

23 September 2012

Bridge Creek was a popular campsite last night with about 13 of us in there, mainly foreign backpackers who seem to be the majority of the travelers now as most of the grey nomads have headed South to cooler climates.

Joanne was up early for a walk so it was natural that we broke camp and hit the road early before the sun got too high in the sky. Headed for Katherine we took a slight 5 km detour off the main highway and down an old decaying road towards the McDonald WWII Airfield Dodging the potholes and bushes as the road narrowed we eventually spotted a clearing on the right and a track into it. There in front of us was a runway stretching off in to the distance, and in much better condition than the road we were on.

McDonald was active during the war with B25 Bombers using it as a base to attack the Japanese far to Australia's North, its last landing a forced one back in 1944. The only things there now are the runway and a few roads that led from the runway to what would have been ammunition, spares and stores storage areas. A sign nearby explaining the sites history and showing a map also showed the location of the camp and we both commented on how it would be interesting to camp there and run a metal detector over the place - but not this time.

Moving on we arrived in Katherine and took up residence on vacant ground a little way away from the dump point, cooking up eggs and bacon for breakfast and then enjoying a nice shower before we emptied the black water and topped up our water tanks from the fill point. Fuel and a full gas bottle were next on the agenda and once that was all done it was time to head South down the highway.

The highway was reasonably quiet except for the odd wide load and the usual road trains and a crash that we came across. The Police and Ambulance were already in attendance but we could see a ute on its side and all smashed in as it leant against a tree. We also spotted a horse float which it appeared the ute had been towing. The road markings and tyre debris showed that the ute had gone off the side of the road, the tyre blew and then the vehicle had shot across the road, dropping the horse float as it hit the bank on the other side, the ute rolled and the tree stopped it. It was a heck of a mess and we were glad we didn't need to stop and help.

Arriving in Mataranka we had lunch in the car park opposite the pub which was in full swing with Irish backpackers playing drinking games and an aboriginal man humbugging for drinks and smokes.

Leaving the noisy pub patrons we drove to where we had camped in Never Never land when we had ridden through here, checking out our old campsite and then on to the Elsey Cemetery and the site of the original homestead, just to see what had changed since we were there. Then, realising that the replica homestead used in the 1981 movie We of the Never Never was free to go into, we headed back to Mataranka for a look. The replica homestead was next to the caravan park and we spent a little time wandering around the building and checking the artifacts including the dresses worn by Angela Punch McGregor who played Jeannie Gunn in the movie.

Leaving the homestead we went back up through town and paid a visit to Bitter Springs where we had been told you can flat down the creek through the palms and water lilies while you enjoy the 34 deg spring water. We took the walk down to the exit point and the look of the water and the recommendation from a swimmer was too great, so while Joanne kept the valuables with her and got ready with the camera I went back to the entry point and swam down towards her. The swim was wonderful as I passed down through the palms and lilies until I reached the exit point some 150m downstream.

Swim over we headed down the highway and took up a spot for the night at the Warloch Rest area .

24 September 2012

The Warloch rest area sits adjacent to the road and was very quiet during the night. The sun was very orange as it went down last night and the evening so pleasant we just sat outside to eat and enjoy a glass of red. Four other campers were in and like us they were enjoying the cool of the evening.

Up early this morning to get some distance in before the wind and the heat of the day got into full swing. Passing the pub with its giant pink panther and the burnt out service station opposite at Larrama we pressed on and eventually stopped for breakfast near the turn off to Daily Waters, and having been there before we didn't bother with another visit.

A pleasant morning tea stop at the Newcastle Waters rest area and then it was on towards Elliot. Arriving in town we had missed the turnoff to the Longreach Waterhole and so after obtaining some directions we went back out of town and turned down the sandy track just on the North side of the cattle grid. With nothing but a Private Property sign at the gate, it was no wonder we missed it the first time.

Sandy tracks worry the heck out of me but we had been assured that this track was okay and that it was worth the 11 kilometer drive. The track was a bit like the one at Barn Hill Station Stay, sandy on the top but nice and firm underneath. Narrow in places and reasonable corrugations meant a slow 25-30 km/h trip.

Some of the better road

As we approached the waterhole we could see a new toilet block, then water tanks, then tables and chairs and even a Federal Government Economic Stimulus Package BBQ! But the best bit was the very long and reasonably wide lake with plenty of parking spots and the nice cool breeze that instantly turned sweat into a cool shiver down the spine. With only one other vehicle in we had plenty of camps to choose from.

The Longreach Waterhole is quite large as Joanne and I found out when we walked up and down the side we were camped on. By guesstimate I would say it is around 4 kilometers long, and a quick look at the map shows it is at the top part of Lake Woods. We stopped for a chat with some other campers and spotted a feral cat on the opposite bank whilst we were chatting. Chat over it was time to enjoy a meal and a few red's while we watched the sun go down, and with the breeze and the temperature just right it was very pleasant sitting outside as the night came in.

25 September 2012

Leaving this morning was hard to do as this camp is definitely on a par with our other favourite at Bilyuin Pool. Negotiating the sandy track we were almost out onto the hard stuff again when we spotted an Australian Bustard foraging amongst the remains of what must be the local communities tip. We have seen a number of these birds along the way but have never been able to get a photo of one, except this time. These birds stand about 1m high and also have a brown head and body. This one almost ran off as we stopped and reversed a bit but then did the right thing and stopped for our photo shoot.

Back on the tar we left Elliott behind and began the days trip. Passing through countryside we had cycled through and spotting old campsites and landmarks was fun before we eventually stopped for fuel at 3 ways, the junction of the Stuart Highway and the Barkely Highway. We had been fighting a crosswind as we came down the Stuart and were now heading into the teeth of the wind and it would be a good test of the fuel consumption with a headwind and the air conditioner on.

Plenty of non descript bush, a few landmarks, old campsites and rest areas such as the 41 mile bore, Frewna and of course the Barkley Homestead Roadhouse where they have put cabins along the front of the caravan park now before we eventually came to a stop at the Wonarah Bore rest area. This had been our biggest days drive yet and it was nice to stop and enjoy the quietness of the place. When we were here last a large group of international backpackers had had a fire in what was the old dam and we used it to cook damper for our daily bread. Well, the old dam is still here, as it what remains of the windmill.

2003 and 2012

26 September 2012

The desert wind came in last night and before we knew it the temperature had dropped to 20 deg and we were reaching for the blanket! The sun was just getting up and it was 7am already so yes the time difference and height of the sun is playing tricks on us. WHen it is time to roll over for another 30 minutes it really is time to get up.

Along the road there were a few rest areas to check out including the old Wonorah Store and then the open plain of the Barkley Tablelands came into play. Headwinds and nothing as far as the eye can see, a real Nullarbor landscape. Avon Downs came into sight and there was the rest area and the Police Station opposite which must be the Police equivalent to purgatory.

Leaving the Police station and rest area we came to roadwork's which reduced our speed dramatically. A dirt track on each side of the newly built up road which was waiting for its new bitumen surface was okay but very slow to negotiate, even slower at the next part where we eventually caught up to a wide load which was creating one hell of a dust storm behind it. We slowed down to second gear and crawled along, building up a convoy of cars towing caravans behind us and then (thankfully) the bitumen returned and we were off again, crossing the border into Queensland and then the town of Camooweal came into view.

A check of the free camp down on the river just less than a kilometer out of town proved it would be a nice spot to camp so, we went into town, used the dump point, spotted the fresh water tap for tomorrow's fill up and headed back to the free camp, where we are now camped with the TV on, phone range, a nice breeze blowing through the motorhome and birds and cattle along the river. The river is fairly dry along here, reduced to two very large waterhole's, but if it was in flood we would be smack in the middle and well and truly underwater.

27 September 2012

It is hard to image how cold 18 degrees can be, but last night got down to that after hitting a high of 39.5 and the cool of the early hours had us reaching covers. A nice hot shower and breakfast and then it was off to get some fuel ($1.94 per litre!) to help us through to Mt Isa, a check of the tyre pressures and maybe some water from the park.

An uneventful drive to Mt Isa saw us arrive before we had seen the very tall stack that shows where the place is from far away and the reason was the smoke from a large fire to the North of town. Shopping, fuel, water, re-setting the phone, information centre and obtaining some work pants saw us leave early in the afternoon but we didn't get far. The large fire outside of town had caused the main highway to become unsafe and the Police had closed it. So here we are, sat on the side of the highway with half a dozen road trains, a few camper vans, motorhome's and who knows how many cars. While we have ben here there has been a number of mining water tankers, graders and all sorts of machinery going down to help fight the fire. A truckie opened the back of his truck and was handing out watermelon from his load for those who want it and we have retreated to the rear to enjoy drinks and to catch up on our daily journals, book work and the like. Hopefully the highway closure will not take too long, or we might just camp right here - now that would be fun :)

28 September 2012

The rush was on not long after I wrote yesterdays log and it was not long before we were driving through burnt out countryside with the smell of smoke thick in the air everywhere. We were heading for a camp which we had been told was well worth the short drive in along a dirt road, and it was, the smoke from the fires around Mt Isa in the background.

The view from our bedroom window

28 and 29 September 2012

With the fires burning around Mt Isa and flames visible on a ridge far away from us we spent a very peaceful night at the boat ramp area. Joanne went for an early morning walk and then we drove the short kilometer distance to the Clem Walton Park where we found another beautiful campsite next to the river. Stopping for coffee and breakfast we chatted with two other campers before deciding to move on, though it was a tough choice.

Driving on we arrived in Cloncurry, the last of the roads and towns this trip that we had cycled on and through previously. Mining is taking over and the caravan park and all other places are filling up with dongas and miners. With nothing new to see or do we drove on and eventually turned off onto the Landsborough Highway or the Matilida Highway as it is also known.

The road was narrow in places and quite a bouncy ride, especially over the many watercourses that we passed but then it opened up to the Mitchell Grasslands which are not unlike the Barkley Tablelands, flat, bleak, bare and nothing higher than the bottom rung on the barbed wire fence for miles and miles and miles, until you come to the small town of McKinley, population 20. The town has many buildings that look like they are already dead but nobody has told them and they would fit right into a western movie with the wind rattling iron not secured and tumbleweed blowing past. Of note however are two buildings, the old Federal Hotel which after the movie Crocodile Dundee was filmed here, became the Walkabout Creek Hotel and remains that way today, and a small tin building that would be crowded with two people in it proclaims itself to be the town library, which was also used for the Crocodile Dundee movie starring as the Walkabout Creek Tourist Booking Office.

The Walkabout Creek Hotel (old Federal Hotel) and the Walkabout Creek Tour Bookings office (now the McKinley Library)

Also in the town was the Police Station, a private house with a Police Station tacked onto the side and what we presumed to be the cells out the back which, apart from the need for a paint job don't look like they get much action these days. The sort of place that old coppers come to retire in.

McKinley Cells at the back of the Police Station

Driving into town further we came to a small park where we stopped to read the plaques informing of the who, what and when back as far as McKinley who the town is named after after he returned to the area after his expedition to find the missing Burke and Wills.

Leaving McKinley we drove more bleak windswept kilometers until we came to Kynuna (Population 20 and a Police Station) where the Blue Heeler bar is, reputedly one of Banjo Paterson's favourite drinking spots. We stopped in the car park and had lunch and then moved on, heading for the Combo Waterhole on the Dagworth Station where it is alleged that Banjo Paterson penned the words to the iconic Australian National song Waltzing Matilida.

11 kilometers down a good dirt road and we came to a car park where we left AJ basking in the ever hotter sun and walked the 1.25 kilometers to the famous waterhole, interpretive panels along the path informing of various things, including the Coolibah tree. They say that you learn something every day and we did today. We both thought that The Coolibah Tree was just a bushman's name for a specific type of tree, but it turns out that the tree is in fact real and is actually named Eucalyptus Coolibah.

The sign at the waterhole says to sit and listen for ghosts who may return and so we did on the very well placed log overlooking the water. The water hole is actually a long waterhole and part of the Diamantina River which retains water when the river level is down, as it seem is most of the time.

The Combo Waterhole (me sitting on the left listening for ghosts that may be heard...)

Returning to AJ we drove on and eventually arrived at Winton where we found our way out to The Long Waterhole, a free camp just 4 kilometers out of town and smack in the middle of a lot of river tributaries. On arrival we found around 20 other campers all enjoying their little piece of waterfront paradise on a very hot 35 deg day.

We set up camp, caught up on a few things, enjoyed our evening meal and were getting ready for bed when we noticed lightening in the ever darkening sky. Now, where we were all parked was cracked open ground that was actually part of the waterhole and the thought of rain and being in that spot didn't thrill me, so a check of the weather radar was required. "Quick! Pack up we are moving" was the command and with everyone else wondering what we were doing we slowly drove out of the camp and stopped on higher ground.

The sky was getting darker and darker and it was time to put some photography lessons into action as the sky began its show. Typically where ever I pointed the camera the sparks flew elsewhere and so I played a game of chasey with the light show until I managed to figure out what was going on and these shots are the best of many taken.

And then the heavens began to open up. Being on higher ground we figured we were okay and as the rain began to fall there was a stampede from the other campers all packing up and heading out passing us as they went. Looking at the ground it seemed okay and so off to sleep we went, only to wake up around midnight to heavier rain, and that was when the fun started!

The main road and bitumen safety was approximately 2 kilometers from where we were stopped and so I decided to take a slow trip out - just in case. Well, the minute we started to move we realised we were committed and that if we were not careful this was not going to end well. We were in first gear and moving but not very well and the further we went the more AJ seemed to have a mind of its own, front wheels going one way and the duals on the rear another, slipping and sliding all over the track until we eventually came to rest on the right hand side and that was that. We had gained a whole 200 meters but there was to be no more and there was nothing else to do but go back to bed and await the morning hoping that there would be no more rain and plenty of wind to dry the track out.

A sleepless few hours passed and then there were lights from behind. Someone else had decided to leave but it became very quickly apparent that they were going the same speed as us - Zero! Daylight appeared and there was a man walking around looking for a way out so I got out and checked the track myself. Within 3 steps I was already 6 inches taller because of the clay mud which is quite feat in thongs and so a hasty retreat to the comfort of the motorhome was taken.

A few minutes later the vehicle towing a caravan was bolting across the paddock, the dog left behind, the caravan door open, the tail of the ute open and items of clothing over the front hanging on for grim death as a mad rush was made for the main track. It was quite a sight to see the Toyota Hilux fishtailing one way and the caravan the other as they both approached us from behind, and the closer they got the more worried we became with visions of one of them hitting us as they went past. Thankfully the driver stopped short of us and we had a chat about his little trip before he went back and retrieved his things, including his dog. The wife was in the caravan!

Peter and his wife had been camped next to us and had slept though all the coffuffle, waking to find themselves no longer on cracked, dry, open ground and so had decided to get out of there, but they took a wrong turn in the bush and ended up way off from the main track.

Peter informed me us that he was going to try and get out and if he did he would come back and give us a tow and so we watched him get past us safely and then fishtail his was way the whole 2 kilometers out to safety, and I wondered about his vehicles ability to tow 4.5 tonnes out of a bog.

In the meantime I warmed the engine and then again attempted my own escape but after 50 meters we were stuck again! True to his word Peter came back and attached his snatch em strap to us and then the mud bath was on! We were not sinking into the mud but skating across it in which ever direction was opposite to the grip the rear wheels were getting, and on a number of occasions we were almost totally sideways! It is an interesting thing to be driving a large vehicle like AJ and having the rear end trying to come around the catch the front with little to no control over there front, and even more so when under tow!

Eventually we made it to safe ground where Peter had left his wife, dog and caravan so we unhooked and both went into town. Arriving at the large car park where the dump point and water taps are we found six or seven other caravans, 4x4's motorhome's and all sorts parked where they had got to last night when the stampede took place.

We chatted with Peter and some others recounting our experiences and marveling at the nights adventure, used the dump point, washed some mud off of AJ, had a shower and a coffee then went into town to check the place out before we headed out of town and eventually ended up giving up on the fight against the wind and stopped at the Crawford Creek Rest area some 60 kilometers of of town where we are taking the rest of the day off and where the ground is bitumen and it is raining again!

30 September 2012

Rain and more rain overnight but this time we were on the hard stuff and very safe from a boggy start to the day. Three others decided to camp with us last night and like us they were huddled inside in the dry and warm for the night.

Onto Longreach this morning where we took a trip around the town to see what Longreach has to offer. Almost all of the streets were double laned with trees down the middle and wide enough to turn a road train around on and a shopping area that was long and had shops down both sides of the road - no shopping centre's here! A real nice looking town.

We fueled up and then found a carwash and for the sum of $7 managed to soap AJ up with yellow, red and blue soap all over and then a jet blast to remove not just the soap, dirt and grime, but some of that boggy clay that was underneath and adding to the weight of the vehicle.

Sparkling and clean we drove onto the Qantas Founders Museum where we managed to spend a number of hours. The museum itself is mainly showcases of flying in the outback, the stories of the founders of Qantas, various engines, planes and movies and of course the original Qantas hangar with various displays of the early days of plane building and repair.

Then for an additional $33 you can take the jet tour which is a guided tour of the Boeing 747-200 VH-EQB City of Bunbury and the very first jet operated by Qantas a Boeing 707 VH-XBA City of Canberra. Joanne was not that interested in planes etc so I sent by myself, first on the museum tour and then the jet tour.

The young lady who took the jet tour was extremely knowledgeable about the planes and was able to explain all of the fittings and operation of the plane including things like pitot tubes (which measure the airspeed of the plane) and it was terrific to be able to wander around underneath checking out the landing gear and bays and even climbing up into one of the baggage compartments, and even having ones photo taken standing in the engine. For those who are interested (and want to part with $60) you can also take a walk on the 747's wing and have your photo taken doing so.

Then it was up into the plane at the rear and a full explanation and sighting of the blackbox recorders, passenger cabin, galleys, toilets and flight deck.

Early Qantas seating and toilet (wooden thunderbox) on a 7 seat plane


The 747's old First Class (now in business configuration) and back to cattle class.
The ceiling panels are removed to show the fly by wire wires and controls

On the top deck of the 747 was an area where First Class passengers would sit in lounges and drink the free alcohol that Qantas would provide before they descended the spiral staircase back to their seat, but then as it was so expensive and nobody was flying First Class (those who did drank to excess apparently) Qantas did away with first class on these planes and turned it all into business. Sitting in seat 1A was an experience but to be honest it wasn't that great from my experience today.

Up the spiral staircase there was more seats, a small galley and two pilot rest bunks squeezed in where no other seat would go and of course the cockpit.

Descending from the 747 it was time to have photo's taken in the engine and then on over to the Boeing 707. There is quite story to this one but interestingly this particular one was fitted out at some stage to be sold to rich Arabs as executive jets, complete with marble, teak and gold fittings and the reason none were sold - pigskin seating! The plane was used in Australia and was used to bring immigrants from England to Australia up until 1969 and it was used by the Jackson 5 as their way of getting around, and it is the same model that John Travolta has as his private jet. Photo's of the planes various fit outs are throughout the plane as are photo of Michael Jackson in the pilots seat and John Travolta onboard.

Then and now, but you get the idea. The passageway to the right leads down past a sitting room, lounge and bedroom and while the map of the world is still on the wall, the gold that used to make up the shapes of the countries has been removed to save theft and the poker table that was (and some other furniture) was taken when the plane was stored in Sydney for a week on its return. I would have loved to have seen it in its full glory.

We also considered visiting the Stockman's Hall of Fame which is also in Longreach but decided not this trip and moved on, passing through Ilfricome and its Machinery Mile. The Machinery Mile runs the length of town and has every type of heavy machinery imaginable from steam tractors to modern day graders lined up for viewing.

We continued on towards Barcaldine and the road here we very bouncy and bumpy and it was no surprise that we eventually came to roadwork's where they have made a temporary road while they rip up and try again with the original. Then we came to Barcaldine, a nice looking town and where we found the Tree of Knowledge (or what was) outside of the railway station. The tree featured as a meeting place for the shearer's strike back in 1891 and the start of the Australian Labour Party. Unfortunately some idiot poisoned it and it is now dead, but, it does have an impressive wooden cover which is even more impressive when you stand underneath and look up.

Not too sure how many pieces there are but the inside of the box has hundreds of wooden poles hanging down. The ends are white and look like leaves, especially when it is lit up at night. We moved on to the 20 hr rest stop just 2 kilometers out of town and are considering going back in for a night time viewing of the tree.

Previous Page

Next Page